Abstract:
The aim of this study was to identify the levels of physical activity and sedentary behaviour of children and adolescents with sickle cell disease (SCA) compared to healthy individuals. A cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach was performed at a reference center for the treatment of patients with hemoglobinopathies in northeastern Brazil. Patients were recruited between October 2015 and January 2017. Eligible participants answered a Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children and Adolescents (PAQ-C) and were instructed to use an ActiGraph wGT3X-BT triaxial accelerometer for seven consecutive days. The analysis of the results was performed using the SPSS software (version 13.0). Differences between means were analysed using the Mann-Whitney U test and the chi-square test was used to evaluate the proportions of occurrence of categorical variables, comparing patient and controls groups. Among the 352 patients in the follow-up, 64 met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate. Of those, 14 did not use the accelerometer during the 7 consecutive days and were excluded. 50 patients (and their 50 controls) were then evaluated. We observed a statistically significant difference between cases and controls in the variables “total time of moderate and vigorous physical activity” (p=0.009 and p=0.0001, respectively) and “daily mean of moderate and vigorous physical activity” (p=0.005 and p=0.003). There was also a significant difference among cases and controls in the following variables: “metabolic equivalent” (MET), with p=0.04, total of steps (p=0.04) and “total caloric expenditure” (p=0.0001), with the worst performances for the group of patients with SCA. Children and adolescents with SCA presented lower levels of physical activity than healthy children and adolescents, both when evaluated by the PAQs or by the accelerometer. The results suggest the need to develop specific programs aimed at promoting physical activity levels and reducing sedentary behaviour among young individuals with SCA.
